@Reti ♔ VS. @Ghyslaine FOR lorien plains
— RESULTS —

Reti Hits: 4 + 5 + 5 + 4 + 4 + 7 luck = 29
Reti Dodges: 2 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 3 = 16

Ghyslaine Hits: 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 14 luck = 23
Ghyslaine Dodges: 6 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 4 = 25

Reti Successful Hits: 4
Ghyslaine Successful Hits: 7

GHYSLAINE HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR LORIEN PLAINS!

The results of this fight cannot be acknowledged ICly until either both challengers have responded or 3 days have gone by — whichever comes first. Any posts breaking this rule will be removed.

---

WOUNDED ROLL

performed on discord by @Squid

Reti is automatically WOUNDED for losing!

Ghyslaine Wounded Roll: 1d5 = 5

Ghyslaine is WOUNDED!

Profiles will be adjusted to reflect the wounded rolls, which, if received, reduce the character’s hits and dodges by -1 for an standardized amount of time. Any wounded rolls received from this fight are considered healed as of [07/23], and are logged in the wounded log. Once healed, post in Trade & Dice Updates to have your dice returned to normal.

Idunn's eyes dart between Ghyslaine and the male, her muscles bunching uncomfortably tight every time a hit lands or a tooth flashes against the tawny lioness. She did not like this, the challenge, the spectacle. Lorien was her home, what right did anybody have to take that momentary peace from her, or even threaten it - however nominally?

what right did they have to threaten what was hers?

Ghyslaine's family, their shared family, settled around her, tittering their own quiet contemplations and opinions, all the while Idunn sat wide-eyed, muttering under her breath to a god she barely wanted to acknowledge.

Storm-blood, salt-eye, claws of brine, foam'ed waves: drowned halls I call to you.... drown'ed god, heed your child, guide my blood. Storm-blood, salt-eye.. a chant, unbroken, hastening by the slip between the common tongue and the language of the Sigrun, a watery plea mumbled inland, far from any sea-god's eye or ire.

+5 - Meditate or pray on your own

Reti's speed had been a trait the warrior had made a point of cultivating his whole life, painfully aware that strength was a perk of the larger build - yet a lack of speed and agility could, and would, kill in battle.

Still there were limits to how much targeted training could compensate, situations where maneuverability would become an issue. Like the present moment for instance where the two were entwined in close quarters. He could feel her flail a bit as his leg impacted her grounded limb. Claws raked his chest again, the already crimson dampened fur saturating a bit more from the second set of slashes left in the wake.

@Ghyslaine 's jaws left his leg and snapped out at his shoulder and lower neck area, snapping short moderate gashes near where the shoulder joined the base of his neck. Her attack igniting primal instinct as his throat was targeted.

He attempted to adjust his grip on her nape as Reti's jaws attempted to push downward jaws attempting to sandwich her spine.... but not clamp down upon it.

His lifted leg hovered for a moment - the impulse to slash at the underside of her jaw as her fangs sought his shoulder and neck was powerful. He resisted.

It was happening so fast now, the battle had reached a pitch that swung the chimera from tactical towards instinctual. A dangerous direction he became painfully aware of as coiled muscles began movement his mind just -barely- managed to halt all of his movements.

No. He would not do this. If he had to resort to moves with lethal potential in order to win this contest - than by rights she had already bested him. 'I WONT!' he mentally snarled in the cavern of his soul, rejecting the beast that railed against its chains.

'I wont.'

'Not this fight.'

Jaws would suddenly go lax, lifted hovering paw slowly lowering to the grass. He was done. The day was hers. "Well done." he murmured softly trusting their close proximity to carry the quiet praise and acknowledgment to her ears. "The battle is yours, I will darken your door no longer." he then said in a calm and polite - if a bit breathless and slightly deep tone, these words pitched more for the crowd as much as the lioness.

Reti sought to disentangle, stepping backwards before tipping his crown in acknowledgment to the victorious ruler, a gesture of respect for battle well fought and crown defended. Then his gaze shifted to scanning the crowd as careful steps aimed to carry him back across the border. He had lost, and had no right or reason to linger.

Backwards flicked ears remained listening to the lions behind him, just in case. While he did not expect a back attack from his prior opponent Reti did not know the measure of the other pride members and caution was advisable. He had received his answer, and was satisfied.

But his focus rested on those who, he assumed, came to support his bid. Alexander was not present, but that had been a toss up. Still he had quite a lot of support, and it truly warmed his heart. Such an odd feeling. But far from unwelcome.

@Thella ♔ , @Aphrodite , @Jun , @Fara , @Karsa ... His gaze would linger on each for a moment, with deliberate acknowledgment (and anyone else who came to show for him that his writer didn't notice XD) "Thankyou." a little dip of his crown and warm smile, a rare flash of genuine emotion....gratitude.

Then his focus shifted to two very particular onlookers and his steps paused as the smile on his lips twitched wider even as his gaze softened slightly despite the blood dripping steadily from the side of his face and saturating his two toned muzzle.

@Hanneth and @Roan . Seeing the first caused a faint pang of ruefulness in his chest. "Mother.." he murmured with that slight smile and unspoken 'sorry' in hid gaze. It was probably not pleasant for her to see him fight, even if battle was something he enjoyed.

And Roan ... good gods...how many years had passed now? Still he could never forget his big brother. Although ... "You shrank." he teased slightly, a genuine small grin on his face for just a second enjoying his joke. To be fair Reti had put on a lot of muscle and a couple inches from the last time the two had met.

code by corvus

usually i'm very polite

As she separates from @Reti ♔, she is breathing hard- ragged gasps but there is a light of entertainment in her gaze. She looks to the male, studying him in silence for a moment before rasping quietly, for only his ears. “Lead with me.” She breathes. “You are a Hodari. You are respectable and formidable.” The offer is spoken quietly, for his ears first, but if he were to agree she would proudly announce it. They could discuss logistics later, and as her gaze left the male- she would straighten proudly. The fight had been close, and truthfully it was barely a victory. Yet, she would take it with pride, because she had fought with all she had. Her gaze scanned the crowded- lighting up when she sees her sons - @Peregrine and @Sage and she beams a smile towards them both, along with Maeve who is near them. She is ready to make a beeline towards them, to smother them all with a bit of motherly love but first… politics.

Her eyes land on the Caladan Queen, @Aphrodite and she offers her a nod. No other words, but a nod. She would not be chased from the borders, but her position there respected. A flash of a smile is given to @Arjana - a nod to @Leonie, oh a familiar face there- one she can’t help but brighten to see. Gaze drifts to @Thella ♔ and she grins at her- remembering the conversation she had shared with the Hollows female, where she mentioned that a Reti Hodari had led the Hollows. He had been a King, and sought the title again, and he had fought well enough to deserve it.

Eye soften, as she gazes at @Nero – breathing hard, she wants to go to him to brush against him, and yet the stupidity of politics and what demands her foremost attention as Queen holds her back. There were many faces she did not know, she did not recognize. Various pride scents gathered, and then her gaze landed on @Roan Hodari. She would offer him a friendly grin, and speak. “Nice to see you again, Roan. The Hodari are welcome here any time.” She would speak simply, just in case he worried she’d hold the last name of Reti against him.

To the rest gathered, “For those of you who do not know I am Ghyslaine, High Sovereign of Lorien. Lorien has long since been a neutral pride that took a backburner in the politics of the land. While we hope to always remain a sanctuary, let it be known that we are not weak. If you wish to join us, feel free to speak with me.” Gaze shifted to those who bore their scent- her family. “As always, thank you all for your faith and support. I appreciate each of you more than you know.” She breathed warmly- gaze resting on @Antoni, @Ilarion, @Kazimir, @Elodie, @Aspen, @Faie @Daneri, @Dorset, @Idunn and finally @Olive.

To Olive, she would grin widely, and nod to her sister- the one who had once defended their home as well. Then she would step away, looking towards her children, who she would gesture towards. “I know you boys are going to at least join me for dinner, yeah?” She’d invite warmly, “Or you know come home if you want.” She teased, but she didn’t intend to force the issue- they would simply always have a place here when they wanted it, if they wanted it. She would veer towards @Nero, to weave around the male, and brush against him, with a softly spoken. “Thank you for coming.” She’d breathe out, beyond thrilled in his support, though she wasn’t surprised by it- he had always supported her the most. Though perhaps he would know that she meant thank you for a lot more than that. Truthfully, she felt she owed him a lot.

Then she would turn her gaze upon Reti once more, eager to see what he has to say. If anything.

but i'm about to get savage tonight

code x art

The fight came to a close and @Ghyslaine was the victor. Aphrodite was honestly not surprised but she was pleased regardless. @Reti ♔ would have been a great leader but she knew that Ghyslaine was a great leader as well. Ears twisted as she would push herself from sitting and begin to walk over towards Reti himself and who he had joined.

Violet jewels would spot both @Hanneth and @Roan, granted she was not familiar with Roan but as she got closer she would dip her head to both and come close to stand beside Reti if she could. As she got closer, Aphrodite would dip her head towards the still reigning Queen of the Plains and give her a small smile. Hearing her words and knowing that the Hodari's - family Aphrodite knew of very well - were safe here and that in itself brought warmth to her heart. Congratulations are in order. She would speak to Ghyslaine before looking to Hanneth. It's nice to see you again.

code by corvus

If pressed, Peregrine couldn't truly say what exactly is so upsetting about all of this. Maybe it's the fact he is faced with the change that has taken place in his absence, forced to accept that time didn't stand still while he was off discovering himself and the outside world, that his family... didn't care he was gone. Maybe Sage was right. Maybe they didn't care about him either.

@Elodie presses into his side, her tiny frame offering a bit of comfort and warmth - probably more than the black bird realised he wanted. "Yeah." He agrees, because his mother is always fine.

The fight is over quickly after that, and just as expected Ghyslaine is fine - and she wins. Her bright gaze hits Peregrine like a slap, pinning him in place until she waltzes over. The boy doesn't move - he doesn't even blink. His mother seems happy enough to see him - them. Sage doesn't get much of a greeting either. He's been the missing one... Did she even care he's back? He's safe? That Peregrine found him?

Before he can summon a word, the bloody queen slips away again. Molten silver eyes watch her wrap around some guy that is definitely not his father, and that snaps him out of whatever spell he'd been under.

"Fuck this." He breathes, untangling himself from Elodie's embrace. "Fuck all of this." His eyes are stinging as he stands, turns toward the border and runs.

Exit.

table by ferus, art by cala

He chuckles alongside Olive as their game comes to a natural conclusion -- as does the battle itself. Nero watches with pride as @Ghyslaine rises, triumphant, and manages to once again prove herself capable as being queen. The pale lion lets his gaze drift to all of those gathered, spotting his sister among the crowd, and chuffs to her softly in greeting before turning back to Ghyslaine as she approaches him. He's so unaccustomed to the familiarity between them that he almost hesitates, but the warmth of her smile makes him grin ear to ear. Better yet, she wraps around him in a bold display of affection that makes his chest rumble in happiness. "Wouldn't miss it." Unless, of course, his two young daughters had a ballet recital or something..

He bumps his head against her shoulder gingerly, noticing one of the younger men fleeing from the scene in a tizzy. Huh. Nero blinks at his departure but returns his attention back onto his wife seconds later, oblivious to the turmoil. Nero will only linger for a few more moments before venturing back to the jungle, to Nazonal and their small family.

I am a question to the world, not an answer to be heard

table by sentinel / art

Well, his brother didn't win because Amanda didn't pay attention to re-rolls. But in any case, at least @Ghyslaine didn't seem the slightly bit annoyed by the fact of being challenged, and by a Hodari no less. As @Reti ♔ came near, the masked man smirked at his comment. "'Bout time you caught up," Roan snickered before offering his little brother a hearty clap on the shoulder if he'd take it. Amanda also had a lapse in memory in forgetting that Reti had been in Amaryllis before. Attention shifted towards the still reigning Lorien Sovereign, happy to see that the woman didn't seem upset with the Hodari for Reti's challenge. "Thank you, Ghyslaine. It's good to see you again. I wish it was under better circumstances," the mauve lion offered, though in good graces, hopefully. The younger woman had always been a good friend to the family. "Congratulations on retaining your title."

As @Aphrodite came closer, Roan had to do a double take. Morana?, he thought to himself, but that couldn't be right. She was too young to still be the queen of the Caverns. Perhaps a descendant. In any case, she seemed familiar with @Hanneth, Reti, and Ghyslaine, enough to warrant a returned dip of his head to the onyx woman.

It wasn't often that challenges ended amicably, so the Hodari was apt to stick around and see what happened. Most times, sovereigns took a challenge personally, but luckily, Ghyslaine didn't seem too perturbed by the fight. At least Reti had seemed to fight honorably, as a Hodari should.

Table & Image by Amanda | Background | Lineart

+5 Observe a fight (Reti vs Ghyslaine)
+5 Maintain your weapons
-
+5 Attend a spar or challenge to assess the wounds

Ultimately, it turned out to be a fairly uneventful affair. His claws, once nicely cleaned, had shifted to kneading the grass in front of him as he watched the pair finish their battle. And no sideline fights broke out to distract him. Pale gaze darted over their respective pelts - blood showed up better against the woman's paler fur, but neither seemed excessively wounded for what the fight was.

With the results obvious, he'd rise and turn to take his leave. Time to find something else to keep him entertained for a while. Or actually head to the coast as he'd intended before the challenge caught his attention.

-exit-

code by daanyen || art by seffiron

'Lead with me.'

She breathed as the two had parted to approach those gathered. The three words causing his eyes to widen fractionally in surprise, brows twitching upwards. Well this was ... interesting.

'You are a Hodari. You are respectable and formidable.'

It seemed the family name had special significance to @Ghyslaine , something Reti had not known prior - such a fact might have shifted his target of challenge (although his options had been slim at best) had he been aware.

The proposal rolled gently about in his thoughts as Reti stood before the small group of family and close friends. Offering his gratitude and acknowledgment to those who had come to watch on his behalf.

She had skillfully turned his offer around upon him, and how could he rightly refuse such a thing under such circumstances. It had been meant as a sign of respect when extended to his former opponent, it was only right he take the same offer likewise.

Reti's focus shifted back to the group before him as @Roan teased him in return earning a soft barked laugh. Time he caught up indeed! He accepted the hearty clap on his shoulder, laughing with a slight wince as the impact cause light pain to radiate down his recently battle battered limbs. Reti attempted to lower his crown and 'bump' it into his sibling's shoulder. Here bro - have some niceeee red coloration to wash off! Ahhh, sibling tease-fun-time!! Yes. He would like to keep it please.

Mismatched eyes flicked to rest on Ghyslaine's face as he caught her questioning glance. With a slight smile pulling one side of his lips a little higher than the other Reti would tilt his crown and give an nod of agreement, of acceptance.

He would lead along side her. "I accept." the soft but very clearly formed response pitched to carry to the wheaten lioness.

There was a faint flicker of anticipation that breathed to life in the depths of his chest, a wonder over how well they would match in leadership - if they were half as compatible socially and politically as they were even in battle thing should go smoothly indeed.

However Reti hoped she was prepared for the brows this move would likely raise. HIs presence and new position would undoubtedly not be welcomed by all. But that was already. It would hardly be the first time he would have to prove himself to those with more than a healthy dose of skepticism.

Reti shifted slightly, the annoying feel of his blood starting to cool on his fur - becoming tacky and itching in some spots while still flowing freely in others - beginning to become aggravating. The urge to groom himself ratcheting with each passing minute.

Adrenaline started to lower allowing the ache and burn from the array of new injuries to settle in and demand attention. He needed to get cleaned up, and get the wounds cleaned out. Privacy to tend to himself - or his mother's assistance - would be needed soon.

code by corvus